Digital Government
Vendor to offer training via Internet
Distancelearning vendor PBS The Business Channel plans next month to kick off the first in a suite of training courses that it will deliver over the Internet directly to federal and commercial users' desktops. Currently, The Business Channel, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Broadcasting Se
Digital Government
Popularity a mixed blessing at Education site
The Education Department's World Wide Web site offers a plethora of data and tools for students, educators and other parties interested in U.S. schooling at all levels. But this may be a case where the demand for information exceeds an agency's level to provide it, according to a recent study. In t
Digital Government
HDS introduces high-endfault-tolerant mainframes
Hitachi Data Systems Corp. today announced a line of mainframe systems targeted at large enterprises that require a high degree of fault tolerance. The Hitachi Skyline Trinium, which at 3,200 million instructions per second (MIPS) has twice the processing power of its predecessor, is the first Syst
Digital Government
For insurance, only signed forms count
A recent court case illustrated the importance of making sure that you have properly designated the beneficiaries of your life insurance policy. The case involved a deceased U.S. Postal Service employee whose family members fought over who was entitled to his life insurance. Former USPS employee Pi
Digital Government
Bill seeks to double FY 2000 budget to fight child porn
A House bill introduced this month would double the Customs Service's budget to expand a lab and provide more information technology training for agents to investigate child pornography on the Internet. The bill, introduced by Rep. Nick Lampson (DTexas), would authorize $20 million over the next f
Digital Government
Software snafu slowed key data during Iraq raid
Concerns about the accuracy of data provided by critical Defense Department computer systems during the recent bombing of Iraq delayed updates of critical logistics information by up to eight hours and ignited a twoweek search for the source of the problem. The problem stemmed from one of the data
Digital Government
Set-Asides
Financial software sked restrictions lifted The Office of Management and Budget has approved a plan that would allow federal agencies to buy financial management software from the open General Services Administration Federal Supply Service schedule rather than the mandatory Financial Management Sys
Digital Government
Finding the right handheld computer
For computer power on the go, you can find alternatives that are compact, lightweight and affordable. From palmtop devices to near notebooks, today's handheld computers meet the needs of most mobile government executives. Handheld refers to machines that vary dramatically in cost and function.
Digital Government
Feds await new Pentium
PC vendors anticipate a high level of government interest in the Pentium III processor, which Intel Corp. launched last week in a media blitz that promises desktop users clock speeds of up to 550 MHz and more agile delivery of video and other multimedia files. Agencies involved in videointensive a
Digital Government
Silence of protesters' bark signals new era
In a wellknown Sherlock Holmes novel, the great detective solves a crime based on a dog that did not bark. The dog normally would have been expected to bark, and the fact that it did not do so during the night of the crime gave the detective key information for the case. In the federal information
Digital Government
DOD reconsiders Java strategy
The Defense Department has scaled back a proposal to abandon further development of Unixbased client applications under its Common Operating Environment program and instead may focus on Java to reduce the number of platforms requiring support, sources said. While still carving out a major role for
Digital Government
Intercepts
KUWAIT VIDEO VALENTINES AND BDA. The 'Third Herd,' homebased at Tinker AFB, Okla., has perfected the MPEG video email greeting card, enabling its personnel to send home to friends and family 20 to 30second video clips of themselves, according to Maj. Amando Gavino, the unit's commander. Staff
Digital Government
Compaq expands net services initiative
Recognizing the growing importance of the Internet and electronic transactions in daytoday business, Compaq Computer Corp. last week announced a new offering of network consulting and integration services. The Compaq Next Generation Network forms the basis of the company's vision for businesses c
Digital Government
Federal Bytes
LET'S NOT DO LUNCH. If you are invited to a luncheon at which Larry Irving, head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, is scheduled to speak, don't expect to have time to chat with Irving over dessert. At a recent luncheon sponsored by Cisco Systems Inc., Irving reveale
Digital Government
Gates, Cohen agree to work closer on technology, security
REDMOND, Wash. Defense Secretary William Cohen last week visited Microsoft Corp. headquarters, where he met with Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, and the two leaders agreed to work more closely on important issues such as technology and security. Microsoft is working with the Defense Department on
Digital Government
Fedwire Briefs
VA switches net biz to FTS 2001 The Department of Veterans Affairs has decided to use the General Services Administration's FTS 2001 network as the vehicle that will replace the department's nationwide data network contract, which will expire this year. For the full story, go to www.fcw.com. NSC ma
Digital Government
Andersen Consulting carves out federal strategy
Officials of Andersen Consulting are well aware that their company is not what government executives think of when they picture the traditional federal systems integrator. In fact, Andersen Consulting officials would not be surprised if they had to explain to any potential customer, government clie
Digital Government
NSC to lead national security initiative
The Clinton administration is moving forward with a new plan to have a senior member of the National Security Council coordinate measures to protect the nation's critical computer systems, according to prepared remarks by Defense Secretary William Cohen during his visit to Microsoft Corp. here.
Digital Government